First day night Ashes test, it’s probably a good thing to have something to distract from the other goings on. Quicker deck probably plays into the aussies hands more than England’s, but then any pitch type would - the only bowling area we have the upper hand in at the moment is swing. Maybe green/seaming pitch conditions. At least it’s more likely to produce a result, a dead pitch would be nightmare for the England bowlers against Smith and Warner.
Funny how close the first test was for quite a long time, but then ended up an all too predictable ten wicket win.
Two quick pitches in a row could lead to 3-0 by the time the MCG comes around, given England’s ability to play the short ball. Let’s hope the aussies get carried away.
Think our only hope in this entire series is that we get new balls in both innings with a bit of lights induced movement and The Aussies have to bad days in one and get skittled for something around 40, so that we can get that in extras, given controversially for excessive bouncers.
I still don’t hold a tremendous amount of stock in their batting - Smith is obviously a massive factor, more so with deader conditions, and a Warner ton can have you in serious trouble at lun - after the first session. But outside of that, they’re at the very least unproven. I think the key is limiting Warner and Smith to one decent or better innings between them in the match, and then deal with everyone else. Hopefully that’ll be the draw of this series - serious falabilities for both teams providing overall decent competition.
Remember Du Plessis declaring on the first day to get the aussies in with the dusk?!
I put it on just after the second wicket had gone and England had a few tight overs, Smith looking a bit shakey, then normal service gradually resumed (and Woakes went for about 15 off one over)
You guys should try supporting NZ. Sun is shining, our change seamer got 3rd best bowling figures in our history, our number eight made the second fastest century, hometown boy is 57* on debut and we lead by 300. It’s great.
Hopefully dusk will lead to an Aussie batting collapse.